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Eco Art Updates

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Better Living Challenge

Have an idea that relates to access to electricity, water and sanitation, water/flood-proofing, fireproofing, ventilation, heating, cooling, space constraints, safety or privacy? The Better Living Challenge is a call to designers and innovators; manufacturers and retailers; students and professionals; self-taught designers and tradesmen; architects and engineers; to develop home improvement solutions that support a better quality of life for all.

The continually growing need for homes outstrips the capacity and resources of the government to deliver. There is a need to find home improvement solutions that are affordable and allow people to incrementally improve their dwellings at their own pace. Such solutions will contribute towards improved living conditions and quality of life. The Better Living Challenge has three entry categories.

STRUCTURAL HOME

Innovative products and materials used in the construction of homes.

Innovative approaches and components for self-built homes and structures.

Systems and products that allow for incremental expansion of existing structures.

COMFORTABLE HOME

Products, services and systems which create a more liveable and enjoyable internal environment, including improved temperature control and internal air quality, as well as light, energy and water efficiency.

Products and systems that address fire risk.

Modular and space saving furniture and storage ideas.

Solutions to create flexible public/private space for homes where a single space may have multiple uses throughout the day.

CONNECTED HOME

Products, services or systems that digitally and physically connect a home to its surroundings and beyond.

Solutions that connect a home to the physical environment, including food production and waste water systems.

Off-grid solutions for individual households.

VERY IMPORTANT:

You need to show you have considered the environmental impact of your products, and explored environmentally-friendly materials and efficient production techniques.

Solutions need to be financially accessible to the low-income market. You need to demonstrate how scale, production and material costs impact on price, and show you have thought about how to get your product, system or service to market in an affordable manner.

A sustainable business model will touch on how your solution can be replicated at a local level. What can be done to enhance what is already produced locally? Has thought been given to working with existing low-income housing providers?

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